Division III

(1) Cathedral Catholic (24-3) vs. (16) Brawley (10-15)

(8) Olympian (18-9) vs. (9) Montgomery (18-10)

(5) Coronado (21-7) vs. (12) Del Norte (12-15)

(4) St. Augustine (21-6) vs. (13) San Dieguito Academy (14-12)

(3) Mission Bay (15-7) vs. (14) Crawford (8-18)

(6) Valley Center (21-5) vs. (11) Madison (10-16)

(10) Imperial (18-8) vs. (7) El Capitan (16-10)

(2) Mount Miguel (22-6) vs. (15) La Jolla (6-21)

First Round Tuesday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. at home sites

Quarterfinals Friday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. at home sites

Semifinals Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m. at home sites

Finals Saturday, March 3, 2:45 p.m. at University of San Diego

Breakdown

Favorite (1) Cathedral Catholic

Cathedral Catholic has been one of the biggest surprises this season, enjoying a breakout season with just one senior on its roster. The Dons have been one of the best teams in the section from the start of the season and are still the favorites in Division III despite a late stumble in Western League play. Cathedral Catholic has a team full of shooters, plays solid defense, and has the depth to also be a threat on the state level.

Sleeper (6) Valley Center

No 20-win team was seeded lower in Division III than Valley Center, who enters the playoffs with 10 wins in its last 11 games. The Valley League co-champions are balanced offensively and defensively have held 10 opponents to 40 points or less. The Jaguars will not be an easy out in the playoffs.

Best of the First Round (8) Olympian vs. (9) Montgomery

Less than 10 miles separate Olympian and Montgomery, giving the 8-9 matchup in Division III a South Bay flavor. Both teams enter the playoffs with similar records and have similar results against common opponents, which should lead to a close game. Expect a low scoring game – Olympian is holding opponents to 43.1 points per game this season.

Star Watch Brynton Lemar, St. Augustine, Jr.

St. Augustine likes to play fast, and Lemar directs the Saints’ attack from the point guard position. The 6-foot-3 junior has the size and athleticism to make plays on both ends of the court, and he is the key to the Saints’ postseason success.

Looking Ahead Finals – (1) Cathedral Catholic vs. (3) Mission Bay

Cathedral Catholic and Mission Bay split their two Western League meetings, with each winning at home. The Buccaneers are only one of two San Diego teams to beat Cathedral Catholic this season, and are one of the few teams in Division III that is athletic enough to present problems for the Dons. A third meeting between these teams in the finals would be a classic encounter.

Pictured: Top-seeded Cathedral Catholic huddles up around head coach Will Cunningham